An analytical study of structural equation modeling on organizational resilience and financial performance in Ecuadorian SMEs

Organizational resilience is vital for the sustainability of SMEs in emerging economies like Ecuador. This study proposes and validates a conceptual model integrating reactive and organizational-financial resilience to assess their impact on financial performance. Based on data from 333 SMEs, findings show that employee commitment, leadership, and social capital significantly drive reactive resilience, which serves as a precursor to broader resilience. Organizational resilience, in turn, strongly influences financial outcomes, confirming its strategic relevance in volatile contexts. Although information systems had a modest impact, cohesive human and social capital proved essential. Surprisingly, general business practices showed no significant effect on resilience, indicating the need for more focused strategies. This research bridges a literature gap by offering an evidence-based framework for SMEs, guiding managerial action and policy formulation. • Analyze the role of resilience in SME financial performance using structural analytics. • Identify leadership and social capital as key drivers of reactive resilience. • Demonstrate that organizational resilience enhances financial analytics and decision-making. • Find business practices have no direct impact on resilience in SMEs. • Recommend data-driven strategies to improve SME adaptability and stability.